T is for Trails

April 15, 2024
An alphabetical introduction to common hiking essentials, rules, and practices as well as national parks. Each letter of the alphabet is devoted to a different topic, though the entries share some similarities. A rhyming verse set against an illustration introduces the letter's topic: backpack, clothes, hydration, leave no trace, urban hiking. Along the left or right sides of each page, lengthy text boxes provide more detail and suggest a trail to hike (the trail or national park name starts with the page's featured letter), along with its location, distance, and level of difficulty. While Young's verses are hit or miss in terms of rhythm, the longer texts are solid introductions to topics that are important to hikers: wildlife, what to do if you get lost, and the 10 Essentials to pack with you. Steber's illustrations are the real stars, bringing to life the wonders that can be found in the national parks (two in Canada, the rest in the United States). Beautiful scenery, rock formations, plants, and wildlife dot the pages; a map would have enhanced the package. People are diverse in terms of race, body type, age, and ability. A final spread introduces the parts of a compass and includes rudimentary instructions on how to use one. Take in the images and text...and dream of your next adventure. (Informational picture book. 5-10)

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August 1, 2024

Gr 1-3-Bringing to the forefront trail hiking, a rapidly expanding hobby for families, this is a welcome addition to the growing number of the publisher's alphabet books. As with previous titles, the titular idea is the hub from which each letter is a spoke pointing outward to explore more fully the focus, exploring trails in this case. Included here are fun hiking activities and necessary safety tips for newcomers to the trail. The explanation of trail signs and common hiking etiquette are particularly useful concepts to cover for the full enjoyment of these outdoor activities. Using real National Parks as the illustrated settings for each letter highlighted allows for both the expansion of ideas in the exploratory texts on the sidebar as well as literal exploration for intrepid park adventurers. Even though this text is wordy in some places, readers will be familiar with this format that allows for scaffolded enjoyment of the text through the textual placement and page designs. VERDICT A safe and fun introduction to hiking on trails for children and families that would be at home on public library shelves.-Lisa Bosarge

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